Alabama fan with $300 national championship ring hat is back at SEC Media Days

If you recall last year, he and his $300 national championship ring hat went viral. This year, he’s a familiar face in the Wynfrey Hotel Lobby, constantly being swarmed by cameras, reporters and other fans. He’s even doing radio hits.

Villa lives in Birmingham, has worked at Walmart for five years, and has been an avid Alabama fan all his life. Last summer he tried to get Nick Saban to sign his hat, but no luck. This year he’ll unfortunately be out of town visiting family when the Crimson Tide makes their media days appearance on Thursday, so he decided to come on Monday when Auburn would be there.

“What better day to come than on Auburn’s day?” Villa said.

Villa was dressed head-to-toe in Alabama gear, just like last year. He wore the $300 hat, an Alabama jersey, and a blinged out ‘A’ necklace. The only thing missing, he said, was a “Beat Auburn” pin. Last year he wore a “Beat LSU” one that he failed to get Les Miles to sign.

Auburn was the first team to address the media Monday, so the majority of fans in the lobby waiting for Gus Malzahn and Tigers players were Auburn fans. Villa gave them a warm welcome when he arrived.

“I came in and said ‘Roll Tide,” he said. “They were shocked.”

Villa has no hard feelings from last year’s Iron Bowl when Auburn beat Alabama in the final second. He loves the back and forth in the rivalry and believes the Tide will get revenge this year. He doesn’t think Alabama will go undefeated though.

“They’ll go 10-2 or 11-1,” he said. “I have them losing to Tennessee or LSU.”

Villa couldn’t stay in the lobby all day. He had to get to work by 1 p.m. He just wanted to make sure his presence was felt among Auburn fans.

Alabama fan with $300 national championship ring hat is back at SEC Media Days

Amazing.

I found this on FTW and wanted to share:
%link%
For more great sports stories ...
*visit For The Win: https://www.ftw.usatoday.com
*follow @ForTheWin: https://www.twitter.com/forthewin
*like FTW on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usatodayftw